# NTSB WPR11CA336: Stearman C3-B, N3440, Spokane, WA, July 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2011, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.675556, -117.324996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6756&lon=-117.3250&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 81151 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81151/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81151 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA336 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. Contributing to the accident was the touch down in a slide-slip. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Stearman C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8560205), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Stearman C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8560205), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Stearman C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=8560205), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Stearman C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=8560205), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was involved in a biplane fly-in that was going on at the time of the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, witnesses observed the airplane in a left side-slip during landing. The airplane subsequently touched down in the side-slip on the left wheel. The pilot applied full right rudder to compensate, then right brake to straighten out the airplane; however, the left landing gear strut collapsed, and the airplane entered into a slow speed ground loop, substantially damaging the lower wing. The pilot stated there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was involved in a bi-wing fly-in that was going on at the time of the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, witnesses observed the pilot enter into a side-slip to the left during landing and the airplane touched down in the side-slip on the left wheel. The pilot stated that the airplane was turning left after touchdown and he applied full right rudder to compensate, then right brake to straighten the airplane out. The airplane subsequently changed direction, the left landing gear strut collapsed, and the airplane entered into a slow speed ground loop. There was substantial damage to the lower wing, damage to the propeller, and the landing gear. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3440](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3440), registered now, S/N 104, built 1927 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STEARMAN AIRCRAFT C3-B - Registry model: [Stearman C2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stearman-c2) (registry code 8560205) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Austro E4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/austro-e4-series) (registry code 06400, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 104 - Airframe hours: 1188 - Engines: Continental W 670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tobin Larry F - Registered owner: Tobin Larry F - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 2011, 8 hours before - Departed: SFF, Spokane, WA - Destination: SFF, Spokane, WA - Airport: SFF, Felts Field, runway 21L, 3,059 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 24,341 total, 118 in this make and model, 24,341 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 126° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KSFF ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110716013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110716013929A), Jul 16, 2011: Stearman Aircraft C3-B, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. ATP pilot lost control of a conventional landing gear airplane after landing on runway 21L at sff resulting in ground loop. ## Other investigations on N3440 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB SEA08LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA206), Sep 20, 2008: Stearman C3-B (N3440), Stevenson, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation from a piece of disintegrating gasket material that was blocking the fuel jet. Also causal was the failure of maintenance personnel to verify the… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81151. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Picture of damage to left main gear - Courtesy of FAA (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20%20Picture%20of%20damage%20to%20left%20main%20gear%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Picture of fuselage attach point - Courtesy of FAA (item 4, .PDF, 630 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352220&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20%20Picture%20of%20fuselage%20attach%20point%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.